Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Part 1

This week as we celebrate this time of the year, we will be focusing our hearts on just a few of the many things that make the holiday season “the most wonderful time of the year.” As we look at the different aspects of the season, we will be relating them to four key moments of Jesus’ life; His birth, baptism, crucifixion, and finally His “wonderful” resurrection. During these next few days, I encourage each of you to ponder in your hearts, what in your life makes this time of year “wonderful” for you.

Matthew 1:18-25 “She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 HCSB

Luke 2:1-20 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.” Luke 2:10 HCSB

FREEDOM. A concept most of us never think about until we are left without it. Today I woke up and got out of bed. I kissed my wife and started to get ready for work. While we got ready, I listened to the radio to the news of the day. Before I left, I settled in for a quiet moment with my Savior where I read His letter to me and prayed to our Father. As I thought about the freedom we have in Christ, I began to think about the freedom we have in the United States, not only during this time of year, but year-round.

When I woke up this morning, I was free from the fear that terrorists would break into my apartment and attack my family. As I listened to the news on the radio, I subconsciously rested in the freedom of the press provided by the First Amendment of our Constitution. Likewise, during my time alone reading scripture and praying, the freedom to exercise my religion assured me that I would not be stopped by anyone for expressing my faith.

We live in a country where the only qualification for attaining this freedom is existing. If you are breathing and have a pulse, you are blessed with freedoms unmatched in this world. During the Christmas holidays, we have the opportunity to gather together as families...as friends...as co-workers to celebrate the birth of our Savior. We are free to shop at unlimited stores and purchase anything you can imagine...or at least anything you can afford. You are free to sing, free to travel, and free to celebrate. All without fear.

We are blessed to have the mightiest Armed Forces in the world who have purposed in their hearts to protect those precious freedoms that many of us instinctively enjoy. Every day they are willing to place their lives above our own so that we can be secure and enjoy the freedoms given to us. They rescue us daily from those who desire to put us in harm’s way.

This Christmas season, we have a different type of freedom that we, too, can celebrate. Matthew 1:28 expresses, “...you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Two thousand years ago, the birth of God in the flesh set in motion a chain of events that changed humanity. His birth led to His ministry and His ministry, to His death. He relinquished His will, His life, His absolute freedom to not only take sin upon himself, but to actually become sin for us (2 Cor 5:21). And in His death...and ultimately in His life, we are absolutely free. Free from our past. Free from expectations of today. Free from what this world holds for us tomorrow. Oscar Wilde once said, “Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.” We, as sinners, have a future. A future of freedom.

As we celebrate this holiday season, may we cherish the freedom that we have in this wonderful country as well as the true freedom that Jesus bestowed upon us upon his resurrection. May we never take either of them for granted.

Father, God, as we worship You this Christmas season, may we learn to appreciate the true and absolute freedom that you have given to us. May we rest in You in our times of “slavery” so we can live in that wonderful gift. Bless this time of renewed faith and peace and bless our brave Armed Forces who sacrifice their time and lives so we can live in a country of freedom. We praise and honor You. In the beautiful name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.